Celebrate with tropical drinks and clothing, too

Sarasota is one of only a handful of places across the country where Tommy Bahama fans can buy a tropical shirt and enjoy a fruity cocktail all in the same venue.

The retail-and-restaurant chain is throwing an anniversary party this weekend to celebrate the brand's 20th year in business since its debut in 1993.

The theme? "Make Life One Long Weekend."

Tommy Bahama's 20-year record of retail success shows how the brand is adaptable and able to do something a little different to attract new customers and keep the older fans coming back for more.

The restaurant-store combinations more than double the sales per square foot of the brand's retail-only sites, Terry Pillow, the chain's chief executive, told media outlets last year.

Other retail chains have capitalized on pairing apparel with food, too.Nordstrom is known for its cafes and restaurants Bazille and Ebar inside Tampa's International Plaza. Florida's first American Girl store, a concept that pairs a doll for girls with a set of books, opened this year at The Falls in Miami with a bistro that accepts reservations.

The Tommy Bahama at 300 John Ringling Blvd. on St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota is participating in the weekend-long celebration. The party starts Friday inside the retail store, where from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., shoppers can enjoy live music, refreshments and giveaways. The restaurant will offer a special "island time happy hour" on Friday and a special menu through the weekend.

The menu includes selections from the first Tommy Bahama restaurant, bar and store in Naples, such as classic Key West conch fritters, boca chica chicken and a Barbados brownie.

Publix debuts catering

Publix debuted a full-service catering department in two markets in Florida.

The Lakeland-based grocer has offered event planning catering services since 2001 on a limited basis, but recently combined the program with its Aprons Cooking School.

The service is being offered only in Plantation and Jacksonville now.

It is unclear when the service will be expanded into Southwest Florida and other areas.

Best Buy stores ship

Best Buy will begin shipping online orders from all of its stores instead of the 50 stores now filling online orders.

During the next six months to a year, Best Buy expects to ship all online orders from its nearest store to cut the time it takes to deliver merchandise.

The "ship-from-store" method shows that the retail industry may be moving away from using large distribution centers.

Justine Griffin, the Herald- Tribune's retail and tourism reporter, can be reached at 361-4951 or at justine.griffin@ heraldtribune.com. Follow her on Twitter @SunBizGriffin and her daily blog at whatsinstore. blogs.heraldtribune.com/.